In 1963, NOAA's predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS), recognized that maintenance of the suite of nautical charts that cover the U.S. was a challenging task. Many charts would go uninspected by surveyors for decades. NOAA turned to local USPS members to provide continuous corrections to nautical charts and report discrepancies to the government.
Over the last decade, USPS members have become very sophisticated in the type and quality of data they provide to NOAA. Most nautical charting reports are positioned using Differential or Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) receivers. Many members collect depths with echo sounders, merge these depths with GPS positions, on a computer, and forward the data digitally to NOAA. Members cross-check data with real-time tidal and current information, to achieve maximum accuracy.
One of the cornerstones of the Cooperative Charting Progam is the "Adopt a Chart" program. Under this activity, local squadrons take ownership of selected NOAA nautical charts in their area.
How much civic service is provided?
Overall, USPS has adopted over 125 NOS nautical charts. Due to our success in this effort, other offices have requested our services, including the National Geodetic Service (land-based nautical chart surveys), Office of Earth Science (tide and current table production), and Aeronautical Charting (civil and commercial aviation).
It is estimated that each year USPS contributes an estimated value of service to the U.S. Government of $15 to $20 million of effort through our reporting program.
How do these efforts benefit the public?
Immediate hazards are reported to the U.S. Coast Guard's Notice to Mariners and Coast Pilot publications. Without these, many hazards would go undetected until tragedy strikes through a nautical mishap. Thus, USPS members save lives and property, and improve the quality of our nautical charts. The Cooperative Charting Program is highly succesful in the advancement of safety on the water for USPS members and the boating public
